Cancer Textbook 4 (Cancer Treatment and Ovarian Cancer)

By Aliasghar Tabatabaei Mohammadi, Seyede Zohreh Mohagheghi, Amir Salehi Farid and 3 more

Research and textbook about Cancer Treatment and Ovarian Cancer for medical students and medical doctors.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nobel Sciences
• Release date: Jul 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9791222424125

Book preview

Cancer

Textbook

4

( Cancer Treatment and Ovarian Cancer)

Chapter1: Cancer Treatment 1

Chapter2: Cancer Treatment 2

Chapter3: Ovarian Cancer 1

Chapter4: Ovarian Cancer 2

Author in Chief: Aliasghar Tabatabaei Mohammadi

Gmail: [e-mail]

Melorin Biotech, London, UK

https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-3285-8701

Authors

Seyede Zohreh Mohagheghi

Gmail: [e-mail]

Chapter: 3,4

Amir Salehi Farid

Gmail: [e-mail]

Chapter: 1

Masoumeh Mahdilou

Chapter: 2

Elnaz Omidi Khoshkdashti

Chapter: 2

Sima Samani

Chapter: 2

Chapter1: Cancer Treatment 1

Introduction to Cancer Treatment

Cancer is a devastating and complex disease that continues to affect millions of people worldwide. It occurs when abnormal cells in the body grow and divide uncontrollably, forming tumors that can invade nearby tissues and spread throughout the body. Cancer treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach that includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonal therapy. The goal of cancer treatment is to remove or destroy cancerous cells while preserving healthy tissue and minimizing side effects. The type of treatment used depends on several factors, such as the stage of cancer, the location of the tumor, and the patient's overall health. Despite significant advances in cancer research and treatment, it is still a challenging disease to treat, and new therapies are needed to improve outcomes for patients.

Surgery for Cancer Treatment

Surgery is one of the primary treatments for cancer and involves the removal of a tumor and surrounding tissue to prevent its spread. Surgery can be curative, meaning it removes all cancerous cells, or it can be palliative, which aims to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. The success of surgery depends on several factors, such as the stage of cancer, the size and location of the tumor, and the patient's overall health.

Surgical procedures for cancer treatment may vary depending on the type and stage of cancer. In some cases, minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic surgery or robotic surgery may be used to reduce scarring, pain, and recovery time. Surgical procedures may include:

1. Biopsy: A biopsy is a procedure that involves removing a small sample of tissue from the tumor to determine if it is cancerous.

2. Lumpectomy: A lumpectomy is a surgical procedure that removes only the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue in the breast, rather than the entire breast.

3. Mastectomy: A mastectomy is the surgical removal of the entire breast, including the nipple and areola.

4. Lymph node dissection: Lymph node dissection involves the surgical removal of lymph nodes near the cancer to determine if it has spread.

5. Prostatectomy: A prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the prostate gland, typically performed for prostate cancer.

While surgery can be effective in treating cancer, it does have risks and potential side effects, including bleeding, infection, pain, and scarring. Additionally, not all cancers can be treated surgically, and sometimes surgery may need to be combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy to achieve the best outcome.

Radiation Therapy for Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. It works by damaging the DNA inside cancer cells, making it impossible for them to survive and reproduce. Radiation therapy can be delivered externally or internally.

External radiation therapy uses a machine called a linear accelerator to deliver radiation beams to the tumor from outside the body. The patient typically lies on a table while the machine moves around them, delivering small doses of radiation at different angles. This type of radiation therapy is usually given in daily sessions over several weeks.

Internal radiation therapy, also known as brachytherapy, involves placing radioactive material directly into or near the tumor through an implant or injection. This allows a higher dose of radiation to be delivered directly to the cancerous cells while sparing healthy tissue.

Radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy. Sometimes radiation therapy is given before surgery to shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove. Other times, it may be given after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells or to prevent the cancer from returning. Radiation therapy can also be used to relieve symptoms caused by cancer, such as pain or difficulty breathing.

While radiation therapy is effective in killing cancer cells, it can also damage nearby healthy tissue, leading to side effects such as fatigue, skin irritation, and nausea. The severity of these side effects depends on the location and dose of radiation, as well as the patient's overall health. Radiation oncologists work closely with patients to develop a treatment plan that maximizes the benefits of radiation therapy while minimizing its risks and side effects.

Chemotherapy for Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing. Chemotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy drugs are usually administered through an IV, but they can also be taken orally or applied topically. The drugs travel through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body, making it an effective treatment for cancers that have spread beyond their original location.

Chemotherapy works by targeting rapidly dividing cells, which includes cancer cells. However, it can also affect healthy cells in the body that divide rapidly, such as those in the bone marrow, hair follicles, and digestive system. This can lead to side effects such as nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and an increased risk of infection.

The specific chemotherapy drugs used depend on the type of cancer being treated. Some drugs are designed to target specific types of cancer cells, while others work more broadly. Chemotherapy may be given in cycles, with periods of rest in between, to allow the body time to recover from the effects of the drugs.

Some common chemotherapy drugs include:

1. Platinum-based drugs: These drugs are used to treat many types of cancer, including lung, ovarian, and testicular cancer.

2. Antimetabolites: These drugs interfere with DNA replication, making it difficult for cancer cells to grow and divide. They are used to treat leukemia, lymphoma, and some solid tumors.

3. Anthracyclines: These drugs interfere with enzymes involved in DNA replication and are used to treat breast cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia.

4. Taxanes: These drugs prevent cell division by stabilizing microtubules, which are structures that help move chromosomes during cell division. They are used to treat breast, prostate, and lung cancer.

While chemotherapy can be effective in killing cancer cells, it can also cause significant side effects. Patients receiving chemotherapy are closely monitored for side effects, and supportive care may be provided to manage symptoms such as nausea, pain, or fatigue.

Immunotherapy for Cancer Treatment

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that harnesses the body's immune system to fight cancer. The immune system normally recognizes and destroys abnormal cells, including cancer cells. However, some cancer cells can evade detection by the immune system or suppress its response.

Immunotherapy works by either boosting the immune system's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells or by targeting specific proteins on cancer cells to